Herbert Ralph "Herb" Peterson (January 5, 1919 – March 25, 2008) was an Americanfast food executive and food scientist most known for being the inventor of the McDonald'sEgg McMuffin in 1972.[1][2] The breakfast business that he pioneered with this item had grown to an estimated $4–5 billion in annual revenues for the fast food restaurant chain McDonald's by 1993.[3]

The Egg McMuffin was created and first sold at a McDonald's in Santa Barbara, California (Milpas St. location with placard outside marking the location) which Peterson co-owned with his son, David Peterson.[1]